News

Man turned Haslingden landmark site into a tip

A MAN has been cautioned after 15 bags of rubbish were left dumped in the shadow of an East Lancashire landmark.

Council bosses in Rossendale said the household waste was discovered near The Halo in Haslingden. The piece is one of the public artworks erected in the valley to mark the Millennium.

An investigation traced the discovery back to the unnamed man and he was also ordered to repay the £200 cost of removing the rubbish.

He later told council investigators that he had paid two local ‘scrap metal dealers’ around £20 to dispose of the waste.

But town hall environment chiefs say it the duty of householders to ensure that their leftovers are dealt with properly.

Council leader Coun Alyson Barnes, who is also communities cabinet member, said: “This is a reminder that residents are responsible for their own waste and if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

“If someone takes away your waste for you, you must check that they are a registered waste carrier and they should have a certificate to prove it, and you should always receive a receipt for what they have taken.

“It is also good practice to take down the name and registration number of anyone who takes away your waste.

“The council investigates all flytipping incidents and will take action against any offenders found to have dumped or allowed their waste to be dumped in this way.”

Flytipping suspects can be reported to the borough council via the borough’s communities team on 01706 217777.